Treadmill training to prevent falls after knee replacement surgery

Preoperative Perturbation Training to Prevent Falls After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Not applicable Interventional University of Illinois at Chicago · NCT05736666

This study is testing if treadmill training can help people who had knee replacement surgery avoid falls and improve their walking and balance.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment196 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Illinois at Chicago Academic / other
Locations1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
Trial IDNCT05736666 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of treadmill perturbation training in preventing falls among individuals who have undergone total knee replacement surgery. Participants will be assessed for various demographic and functional risk factors before being randomized into two groups: one receiving fall-prevention literature and the other receiving both literature and treadmill training. The study will measure improvements in walking ability and balance, as well as the incidence of falls during the first year post-surgery. A total of 378 participants will be recruited for this intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals scheduled for primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty due to end-stage knee osteoarthritis.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions affecting balance or walking, such as stroke or Parkinson's disease, will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the risk of falls in patients recovering from total knee replacement surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While similar approaches have been explored, this specific intervention using treadmill perturbation training is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of endstage knee osteoarthritis requiring total knee arthroplasty (TKA). TKA scheduled within two months and able to schedule the required training visits prior to surgery.

Exclusion Criteria: Potential participants will be excluded if they have dizziness or self-reported medical conditions that would be expected to affect walking and balance. These specifically include history of stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and balance disorders including positional vertigo and Meniere's disease. Other exclusion criteria include plans to undergo a contralateral TKA within 12 months or history of other lower extremity joint replacement within 5 years. Finally, people who report idiopathic low back pain, history of heart disease, uncorrected vision impairment, or institutionalization will be excluded.

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Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Knee OsteoarthritisArthroplasty ComplicationsFallsKnee Replacement
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.